Igbo eulogise Ojukwu at Ahiara
From VAL OKARA, Owerri
Saturday February 18, 2012
Prominent Igbo leaders, including the clerics, traditional rulers and politicians yesterday converged on Ahiara Mbaise, Imo State and paid glowing tributes to the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, ex-Biafran leader.
At an International Colloquium on the Ahiara Declaration of 1969, organised in memory of Ojukwu by the Conference of Democratic Scholars and chairman by Ezego Anagha Ezeikpe, the Igbo leaders described Ojukwu as a great icon and leader who sacrifice his life for survival of Igbo nation.
Speaking on the occasion, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Uwechue, said the Biafran succession bid failed militarily but the spirit, which propelled it, remained in the minds of Igbo and symbolized in towering personality of Ojukwu.
He stated that Ojukwu’s message to Igbo was the most treasured legacy that they must always be courageous and united in their legitimate struggle for political and economic survival in the country.
“Today in Ahiara, Imo State, we are commemorating an epochal event that marked the unflinching determination of Ndigbo to resist oppression and persecution unleashed on them in Nigeria,” Uwechue said.
Senator Chris Anyanwu described Ojukwu as a true icon, who was born with sliver spoon but scarified his life for the uplift of his people.
According to her, Ojukwu brought respect to Igbo nation but regretted that many Igbo have abandoned the ideals the Igbo are known for in pursuance of materialism.
Captain Iheancho, former interior affairs minister, in his remarks, said that Igbo are now at crossroads with the death of Ojukwu, saying that Igbo are being killed on issues that do not concern them.
The former minister noted that Ojukwu excelled in his chosen profession, as a solider, statesman and intellectual, insisting that Igbo must remain graceful to him for his selfless service to them.
In his contribution, legal icon, Chief Mike Ahamba, regretted that in spite of Ojukwu’s contributions to Igbo nation none of South East governors has deemed it fit to immortalise him, stressing that the late Biafra war lord was born great, live great and died great.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, governors of Abia, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states shunned the occasion, while the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Anwuka.
Others present at the event are Mr. Chris Ngige, Sylvester Anyanwu, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha and former president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife.
Others are the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, wife of late Philip Effiong, Mrs. Josephine Effiong, Prof. Ukwu I. Ukwu , Col Joe Achuzie and son of late Ikemba, Dede Ojukwu.
